Coe 2nd in 3000, Wright 3rd in High Jump at NCAA Indoor Championships

Coe 2nd in 3000, Wright 3rd in High Jump at NCAA Indoor Championships
Morgan does not post a height in pole vault on last day of national meet


March 14, 2009


COLLEGE STATION, Texas - California sophomore Michael Coe took second place in the men's 3000-meter run and senior teammate Ed Wright wrapped up his college career with a third-place finish in the men's high jump on Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships held at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M. Golden Bears senior Katie Morgan did not post a height in the women's pole vault on the last day of the two-day national meet.

In the team standings, the Cal men finished 11th with 18.5 points and the Cal women tied for 41st with five points. Oregon won the men's title (54 points) and Tennessee won the women's crown (42).

"As opposed to what happened in the past, bringing one or two people, we brought nine people this time, and everyone competed as a team," Cal head coach Tony Sandoval said. "It was a great atmosphere. Everyone had a shot contributing point wise, with a few glitches here and there."

Wright, whose top mark Saturday was a 7-0.25 (2.14 meters), wrapped up his Cal career with his best finish at either NCAA Track and Field Championships. Kansas State's Scott Sellers won the event with a jump of 7-4.5 (2.25).

"Ed Wright, like a lot of high jumpers, has a lot of difficulty with this new surface," Sandoval said of the stadium's surface, which is constructed with Mondo Super X Performance Material. "The leading high jumper in the country [Nebraska's Paul Hamilton], he no heighted. They all had a tough time, but Ed still tied for third.

"Ed's contributions to the program go beyond points. His demeanor, class and whole package represent everything good in the athletic department. He's the type of athlete we cant to come to Cal. I'm proud he has been a pillar of our program, and I wish him the best of luck. I know he will continue on in his jumping career."





Coe, who was second to Oregon's Galen Rupp in the 3000, clocked a time of 7:54.42.

"Michael fought a cold all this week," Sandoval said. "He fought back to second. He had the Stanford guy [Elliott Heath] right on his shoulder, and he fought him off and got second."

Morgan, who won the 2008 NCAA outdoor championship in the pole vault, was not able to add an indoor title to her collection.

"Katie wasn't a 100 percent," Sandoval said of Morgan, the 2008 NCAA outdoor champion in the women's pole vault. "She hurt a hamstring a couple weeks ago. Now she's 100 percent, but she lost a lot of training. She no heighted, but once she's back training, I know she'll get back to where she was before."

Cal next competes outdoors in the Hornet Invitational at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium on Saturday, March 21, in Sacramento, Calif.

NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships

California's Results from Saturday

Men's 3000-Meter Run Final
2. Michael Coe 7:54.42.

Men's High Jump Final
3t. Ed Wright 7-0.25 (2.14 meters).

Women's Pole Vault Final
- Katie Morgan NH.

California's Results from Friday

Men's Distance Medley Relay Final
3. California (Matusak, Hanson, Sam, Coe) 9:30.39.

Women's High Jump Final
4. Inika McPherson 6-0 (1.83 meters)*. 11. Kristen Meister 5-8.75 (1.75).

Women's 60-Meter Dash Preliminary
14. Cherrelle Garrett 7.42.

* Ties Cal indoor record

Courtesy Cal